Method of washing tanks



july 23, 940. W OSTUNG ET AL 2,208,813

METHOD OF WASHING TANKS Filed Aug. 3l. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney July 23,v 1940. 'w. osTLlNG ET'AL METHOD F WASHING TANKS Filed Aug. al, 1936 @sheets-,sheet 2 w W Lm A Homey July 23, 1940. l W. OSTUNG Er AL l 2,208,813

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Sme/ww@ July 23, 1946. W` QSTUNG Er AL 2,208,83

METHOD OF WASHING TANKS Filed Aug. 31, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 395 '594 595 sgz Patented July 23, 1940 METHOD F WASHING TANKS William ostling, Los Angeles, and Clare Richard, Oakland, Calif., assig'nors to Harold M. Sawyer,

San Francisco, Calif.

Application August 31, 1938, Serial No. 98,698

Claims.

This invention has to do in a general way with the art of cleaning large tanks which have contained petroleum oil or the like and while the method contemplated by this invention has been i especially designed for use in connection with deep oil tanks on ships or oil tankers, it is to be understood that the method contemplated herein may be used with equal advantage upon the various types of tanks that are employed in the 0 shipment and storage of such materials as oil.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, the unloading of any ship's cargo tank which has contained oil such as a heavy crude petroleum, leaves certain typical conditions which 5 are encountered in any cleaning operation. In the first place, since the oil is thick and heavy, it naturally follows that the unloading operation leaves a deposit or coating of oil bodies and dirt on the walls of the tank, such coating being .0 lightest at the ceiling and increasing in depth and consistency downwardly along the side walls, being heaviest on the bottom of thetank. In certain prior operations with which we are familiar, attempts have been made to remove 55 this coating by subjecting the interior surface of the tank to the action of a hot jet or stream of cleaning solution. This cleaning solution is projected from the nozzle of a cleaning machine which is positioned'at some convenient point in l0 the tank frequently below a specially cut hole in the deck. the nozzle being rotated either continuously or in a step by step manner about both a horizontal and a vertical axis in a manner such that the path of the stream projected 55 from the nozzle along the inner surface of the tank travels from the top of the tank down the sidewall, then along the bottom Vup the other side and over the top of the tank, such procedure being repeated either in overlapping vertical lo planes or, -in the event the rotation of the nozzle about a vertical axis is continuous, the paths of the jet will be inclined at an angle to the vertical but in both instances each successive path willtraverse the top and bottom and at least two 5 side walls of the tank.

With operations of this prior character, it will be seen that regardless of whether the nozzles are operated in a step by step or in a continuous manner, the action of the jet as it im- 50 pinges upon the unwashed surface will be followed by a certain amount of splashing and on the side walls by the heavy down flow of washing solution which carries with it the dirt and oil which has been removed by the jet. In these prior opera- 55, tions such splashing and down flow will, to a very marked degree, take place over a surface which has been previously exposed to the action of the jet, thereby spreading a film of dirt and oil over the washed surface and necessitating a final wash down operation after the machine 6 has been run.

It therefore becomes a primary object of this invention to produceA a method of the class described in which the washing jets are operated in a manner such that the run down always 10 takes place over a surface which has not been Washed. Ihis object accomplishes two purposes. First it prevents the reaccumulation of dirt and oil on a surface which hasv been previously washed and second it is effective to pre-soak the material on ,the surface which is to be cleaned by the jet, thereby making for a more efficient and thorough cleaning operation.

This object is accomplished by employing a novel type of washing machine which is contemplated by this invention and in which the nozzle is initially directed upwardly toward theI ,ceiling of the tank in which position it is rotated about a vertical axis. During the rotation of f the nozzle about its vertical axis it is gradually turned about a horizontal axis at a relatively low speed, the speed ratios of these two movements being such that the path of the jet traced upon the surface of the tank is .in the nature of a helix or spiral having substantially horizontal overlapping turns. In other words, during such time as the nozzle is directed toward the ceiling of the tank, the path of the jet follows circles or turns along the ceiling of gradually increasing diameter, thereby washing the oil and dirt on the ceiling outwardly along the side walls. As the nozzles are directed toward the side walls, the hot washing solution runs down from the surface which it engages, pre-soaking the material on the sidewalls and carrying a part of the superficial dirt down with it. The paths of the jets on the side walls gradually move downward toward the bottom thoroughly cleaning the same and avoiding any run down on4 a. previously cleaned surface as was the case in the prior operations referred to above.

Another factor which is peculiar to aship's tank is the fact that the bottom of the tank is ordinarily in contact with the cold seawater on the outside and the material on the bottom is for that reason extremely difficult to remove. As another outstanding feature of this invention therefore, we contemplate a method which will facilitate the removal of the material on the bottom. And in attaining this objective, we

propose to accumulate the hot run down solution on the bottom of the tank over a substantial portion of the run, thereby heating and soaking the bottom material which, as indicated above, has heretofore been found to be the most difficult to remove.

Another difficulty encountered in the cleaning of ships tanks of the class hereinabove referred to arises from the presence in such tanks of numerous side iianges, ladders and cross beams, etc. which leave blind spots that have heretofore not been successfully reached by the mechanical cleaners known in the art at the present time. It therefore becomes a further object of this invention to produce a method and a machine for practicing the same whereby the usual blind spots adjacent the anges, around the ladders and behind the cross beams can be reached by the cleaning machine without the necessity of cut- 4lower zones or levels which in view of the horizontal path traversed by the nozzles exposes both the upper and bottom surfaces of the side flanges to the same direct cleaning action of the nozzle jet. Furthermore by operating the machine at these different zones or levels, we are able to bring the nozzles closerl to the surfaces to be cleaned which permits operating theA machine at a lower pressure than is usually employed. Also as has been previously indicated, in many cases it permits operation of the machine through the usual hatch in the ceiling of the deck and does not require the cutting of new deck holes as has been the practice heretofore.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, it is sometimes necessary after a cleaning operation to dry the inner surface of the tank in somevrnanner. It has heretofore been the practice to do this by hand, using rags -or waste for this purpose and in the case of deep tanks this necessitates the building of scaffolding within the tanks so that the Workmen can reach all of the tank's surfaces. Also inasmuch as the cleaning solution is ordinarily used at a relatively high temperature it is necessary to cool the tank over a substantial period of time before the workmen can enter it. It therefore becomes a further object of this invention to produce a process of the class described which includes a novel operation for cooling and drying the tank, thereby reducing or eliminating the cost of labor and material-s ordinarily involved in this drying operation and also materially reducing the time element which is ordinarly required before the tank can be entered or refilled. In this connection it is to be understood that the drying step is optional with the operation depending upon the tank and other .circumstances and that this process may be used without this nal step. i

The details in the method contemplated by, this invention, together with the details in certain preferred embodiments of apparatus contemplated thereby, and` further objects attending its production will be best understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which are chosen for illustrative purposes only and in Which- Fig. 1 is an elevational view with parts broken away illustrating one preferred form of apparatus contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 1A is a section along the line AA of Fig. 1;

Fig. Z'is a sectional elevation taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan section taken' lalong the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4A is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along the line 4A-4A of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a plan section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan section taken along the line I form of apparatus contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan section taken along the line III-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan section taken II-II of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan section taken along the line I2-I2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a plan section taken along the line I3-I3 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a plan section taken along the line M N of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken in offset plans as indicated by the lines |5I5 of Figs. 9 and 11;

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation through a ships tank illustrating one form of the invention as being mounted therein which will be used in connection with the description of the method contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional elevationillustrating one form of suspension which may be used in connection with the machines contemplated by this invention; and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing another form of nozzle member which may be employed in the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, we will first describe the two machines illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8 (which also possess certain features of along the line novelty contemplated by this invention, after method in connection are especially designed flange and keyed collar connection generally indicated by reference numeral lf3. The main feed pipe Il is adapted to be suspended in a substan tially vertical position Within a tank through an opening in the top or ceiling thereof by means of any suitable support as illustrated in Fig. 17. For the accomplishment of the method contemplated by this invention it is important that the support be constructed so as to permit vertical adjustment of the main feed pipe Within the tank and the construction of this support and the means for making the vertical adjustments will be described later in the specification.

Reference numeral I4 indicates what we have termed a nozzle feed housing, such housing being formed with an elongated chamber I5 which receives the lower end of the feed pipe section |20.. For convenience in assembling the machine, the housing I4 is also made in sections, an intermediate section IS thereof having a close sliding fit with the lower end'portion of the feed pipe section I2a.

The upper end of this intermediate section I6 is provided with an outwardly extending flange I1 which is engaged by a shoulder I8 on the feed pipe section I2a, a seal ring I9 being interposed between the shoulder `I8 and the iiange II. Se-

cured to the outer edge of the flange I1 is a shell or housing portion formed of sections 22 and 23 secured together by means of flanges 22. At the joining line of the two sections 22 and 23 we provide a plate member` 2i, the inner edge of which supports a radial bearing 28 which engages the main feed pipe. In the top of the section 23 is a combination thrust and radial bearing 29, the inner race of which is secured to the feed pipe'section I2a between a spacing ring 30 and a collar 30 which in turn is pressed up against the lower edge of the flange connection I3. The outer race of the bearing 29 is engaged by a properly formed shoulder in the section 23 and it is through this bearing that the housing is rotatably supported upon the main feed pipe section I2a. In order to prevent admission of dirt and washing liquid to the interior of the case or housing comprised of sections 22 and 23, we provide the collar member 39' with'an outwardly extending overlapping top flange indicated by reference numeral 3|.

For the purpose of projecting a jet or jets of washing liquid against the inner surface of the tank, the housing IS is provided with one or more nozzle members. Two nozzles are shown in this form of our invention, such nozzles being indicated by numerals 35 and 35'. These nozzle members are adapted to have rotation about a horizontal axis or more specifically are adapted to rotateabout an axis which is normal to the axis of rotation of the housing. 'Ihe nozzles may be Aconstructed and supported in various ways and in the particular embodiment oi the invention now under discussion each nozzle is shown as including a hub cup 36 which is rotatably mounted upon a hollow spindle member 31, the latter member being secured by means of set screws 38 to a faced portion on the housing which vsurrounds an outlet 39 from the bottom of the chamber I5. This hub cup contains a ball bearing $0, the inner race of which is supported by the spindle 31, such bearing being held in position within the cup by means of a collar 62,

which in turn is held against outward movement by means of a spring locking pin indicated Aat 43.

Itis one of the features of this embodiment of our invention that the nozzles function to project jets of washing liquid only during their downward course of travel, that is, while they are being turned from a position where they are directed toward the top of'the tank to a position where they are' directed toward the bottom, and that no cleaning liquid passes through the nozzles during their upward courseof travel except at near the en'd of their upward movement. In

' other words, assuming the nozzles to be continuously rotating, our invention contemplates the provision of automatic valve means for delivering pressure liquid into the nozzle when it reaches an Aupwardly directed position and shutting it off when it reachesl a downwardly directed position. In this preferred form of our invention, we show two nozzles, and with the arrangement just' de scribed these nozzles are preferably disposed at 180 with each other in order to obtain continuous operation.

Various valve means may be employed for obtaining the "opening and closing action in the nozzles, and in this form of our invention, such action is obtained b'y using a blind ended hub sleeve- 3l and extending the same clear into the base portion of the nozzle. This hub sleeve is provided with an opening 31o which extends across the top and along the side which is traversed by the opening at the base of the nozzle passage it during the downward course ofthe nozzle (see Fig. 1A) so that the base of the nozzle and the hub sleeve constitute a rotating sleeve valve which automatically governs the flow of washing liquid to the nozzle. y

A liquid seal ring is'shown as being interposed between the inner face of the nozzle angeand the outer face of the locking collar t2. y

As has been indicated herein above, these nczzle members are adapted to be automatically andmechanically rotated during the operation of the machine, but it is also important that the means for rotating the nozzles be of a character such that they can be set or adjusted to a predetermined position before the machine is installed in the tank. For the purpose of imparting rotation to the nozzle members, we provide each nozzle with va gear which is rotatably mounted upon the hub cup 36. interposed between the inner face of this gear and the outer face of the hub cup is a friction spring member bi, designed so that rotation of the gear will impart rotation to the hub cup but set or adjusted so that the nozzle Amember may be manually rotated within the gear. i

The gear 5U is adapted to be driven from a pinion b3 which is mounted on the outer end of a short shaft 55, which has a bevel gear keyed to its inner end. The pinion 53 is enclosed by a protective 'housing E6 and the bevel gear 55, together withits companion bevel gear or gears, in the event the machine is provided with more than one nozzle, is shown as being enclosed in a gear box or gear compartment 58 formed in the intermediate section of the housing It below the bottom of the chamber I5.

The bottom section of ythe housing it constitutes a gear boxv for the gears which drive the nozzle members and impart rotation to the housing. This gear box, indicated by reference nu.- meral ai?, has a cover plate 5I secured in any suitable manner to a flange S2 on the bottom of the intermediate section. The bottom of the gear box 60 is shown as being in the nature of a relatively thick block or base plate 63 which supports a turbine motor case td.

The bevel gearor gears 55 receive rotation from a beveled pinion 65 which is lreyed to the upper end of a short vertical shaft $6. The shaft .5E is supported by bearings Si contained in a sleeve section t8 formed in the bottom plate Eil below the gear compartment ed.' The lower end of the shaft S6 is provided with a worm gear t9 which engages a worm 10, the worm being keyed to a cross shaft "II, which is supported by bearings I2 in the sides of the housing (Fig. 5). The

bearings 'I2 are provided with cover caps 73.

The cross shaft 1i receives its rotation from a worm wheel 15 which is keyed thereto and which lll cross shaft t2 is supported by bearings il@ in opposite faces of the gear box (such bearings being associated with cover caps 8d) and is provided with a worm wheel 86 which is keyed thereto. The worm wheel 86 receives its rotation from a worm lili keyed to a turbine mbtor shaft generally indicated by reference numeral 90. The turbine motor shaft 9B is supported by a thrust bearing ill mounted in a projection 92 loi-med in the gear box and receives radial support from fa bottom bearing 93 located in the bottom of the gear box.

The lower end of the motor shaft Si! carries a turbine wheel @l which receives rotation from jets of pressure liquid projected from jet nozzles generally indicated at 99. These jet nozzles extend through openings lll@ in the top of the motor and are mounted in outlet openings lill which communicate with c. jet Supply chamber 8d2 formed in the bottom block 63. This jet supply chamber has an inlet opening HB3 which is in connnunication with a feed pipe lfl such feed pipe leading to an outlet opening lllti in the bot torn oi the chamber and communicating with the chamber i through such opening. In order to prevent the possibility of dirt clogging the nozzle jets, the feed pipe ll is shown as being provided with a screen ilii.

The c ostruction just described is effective to impart ng move-nient to the nozzle members and the arrangement ci the gears is such that this rotation is extremely slow being in the order or' .S25 P. M. for the preferred conditions under which this machine operates. It will thus be seen that gradually turning the nozzles about their horizontal axes, and at the saine time rotating the housing which carries the nozzles about its vertical at a much higher velocity (say 1G it. will cause the path traversed by a stream of liquid projected from one of the nozales during one half revolution of the nozzle (from top to bottom) to follow a helix or spiral having substantially horizontal overlapping turns.

For the purpose of imparting this more rapid rotation to the housing about its vertical axis to accomplish the object just referred to, the main or stationary feed pipe section ma is provided with a fixed gear member lili which is shown as being contained within the upper compertinent 23. This fixed gear member is engaged by a pinion lli whi^h in turn is keyed to the upper end oi an extension 'il' on the main drive shaft il. This main drive shaft could be made in a single piece but for convenience in manufacture and assembly, we prefer to form the same in the two sections Tl and l such sections being rigidly connected together by intertting jaws and an over-riding sleeve generally indicated by reference numeral il. The upper end of the shalt section il is supported in the bearing lle which in turn is mounted in the upper end of a sleeve The sleeve is interposed between the cover iii oi the bottom compartment and the sideof the section 22 in the top compartment with `which it communicates through an opening H8.

It will now be seen that during the operation of the turbine motor the shaft 'VL-'ll' operates to gradually turn the nozzle members 35 about their horizontal axes and at the same time rotate the housing lll about a vertical axis. In order to obtain the path of the nozzle streams hereinabove referred to it is important that the gear ratio in the driving mechanism just described be arranged so that the housing is rotated at a rate of say 1G R. P. M. In other words the ratio betwe'en the turning speed oi the nozzle members and the rate of rotation or" the housing is in the order of 1 to 460, so thatvthe nozzle members receive substantially 200 revolutions about a vertical axis while they are turning from top to bottom about their horizontal axis. In this way as has been previously indicated, the path of the jet follows a gradually widening circle along the ceiling of the tank, then travels downwardly along the sides of the tank, the washing liquid running down over the surface which has not been cleansed to soak and loosen the material thereon and to finally accumulate on the bottom of the tank where it soalrs and loosens the material on the bottom. It is to be understood, of course, that other speed ratios may be employed, but it is preferable that the ratio be such that the paths of the jets lie in substantially horizontal overlapping planes, the total paths being in the nature of a helix or spiral having a vertical axis.

It is another important feature of the machine contemplated by this invention that means are provided for continuously and automatically lubricating the bearings and gears and other fricticnally engaging parts within the machine and further that the machine is constructed so that the moving parts are not exposed to the washing liquid. For the purpose o maintaining this continuous and automatic lubrication, we employ a lubricant pump which will continuously recircu late the lubricant over the moving parts within the machine. A preferred form of such pump is shown as comprising an impeller member l2l which is keyed to the turbine shaft 90 within a lubricant pump reservoir 22 shown as being formed in the bottom bloclr. 53 of the gear box. This lubricant reserv f is provided with an opening l23 in its tor.` which lubricant enters the reservoir iro i .f eax. ocx and is also formed with a pressure groove lt'z surrounding the periphery of the impeller member, such pressure groovecommunicating with an outlet duct or passage |26 (see Fig. fie) which opens into an oil pressure pipe l2? mounted on the upper face or' the bottom block This oil pressure pipe l2? extends upwardly into the top of the upper section 25 situated at the top of the housing.

During theoperation of the turbine pump, oil is pumped up through the pipe i2? into the top of the housing i6, owing downwardly over the bearings and gears in the upper compartment 22-23 after which it enters the sleeve H5 flows downwardly through the bearings lil and over the gears and bearings in the gear box, ilnally being returned to the oil pump reservoir through the port 23.

It is believed that the operation of the mechanism constituting the form of our invention shown in Figs. l to l' will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and we will now describe the modified form of our invention shown in Figs. 9 to l5 inclusive. This latter form of our invention is designed to accomplish the same general objective and is designed for use in the same general method as is the machine just described. the chief dlierence between the two machines residing in the fact that the form of the invention about to be described has the turbine motor supported by the stationary or main feed pipe whereas in the former form the turbine motor was supported by the rotatable or nozzle feed pipe housing. Also in the form o' the invention about to be described, means are provided for automatically and quickly returning the nozzles to an upwardly directed position after they have reached iid their downwardly extended position whereas in the former type'of machine the nozzles are designed for continuous rotation. It is to be understood in this latter connection, however, that the first form of the invention may be equipped with means similar to those about to be described for effecting an automatic return of the nozzles, or if desired the latter form may be designed so that thenozzle members have continuous rotation.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to -15 inclusive,. reference numeral indicates a main or stationary feed pipe which corresponds to the main f eed pipe I in Fig. l. This main feed pipe comprises a supporting section I2 correspondingA to section I2 in Fig. l, a turbine supporting section 200 and a bottom section 20| which in turn carries the rotatable nozzle feed housing generally indicated by reference numeral 202.

Thissection 200 is secured to the section I2 at its upper end -through the medium of a flange connection indicated at 203 and the bottom of the section l2 is secured by means of screws 204 to a combination skirt and gear housing 205. The top face of this skirt section 205 is provided with a recess 206 which receives a ring nut 201 secured to the upper end of the section 20| such ring nut also being locked within the recess in any suitable manner such as by means of a key 208. In this way the sections |2, 200 and 20| are all rigidly connected to each other and are designed to remain stationary during the rotation of the housing The nozzle feed housing 202 is, to facilitate its manufacture and assembly, comprised of a plurality of sections, the bottom one being formed with the nozzle feed chamber 2 I0, a vertically extending section 2| thereof rotatably tting on the lower end of the stationary pipe section 20|. The upper edge of the section 2|| terminates in an outwardly extending ange or plate 2|2 which is situated adjacent a shoulder 2|3 in the pipe secl tion 20|. A seal ring 2|4 is interposed between the shoulder 2|3 and the plate 2|2. Supported housing.

on the upper edge of the plate member 2|2 is a ring section 2|5 'which is also provided with a radially extended box section 215. This ring section 2|5 has a shoulder formed on its upper edge which supports a bearing cup 2 I6 such cup carrying a radial bearing 2|1 the inner race of which engages the lower section on the stationary feed pipe. Below the bearing 2|6 we provide deflecting collars 220 designed to deflect lubricant through an opening 22| in the box section 2W.

Supported on the inner race of the bearing 2 I1 is aspacer ring 224 which supports a gear 225, such gear being rigidly secured to the stationary feed pipe and being employed for rotating the nozzle members in the manner which-will be hereinafter described. Resting on thegear 225 is another spacer ring 221 which supports the in-A ner race of a thrust bearing 228. The outer race of this thrust bearing is engaged by a shoulder 230 formed in the upper end of a top section 232 on the nozzle housing which is secured at its lower edge through a flange 232 to the top of the ring -section 2|5. It will be vobserved. thatA the upper portion of the top housing section' 222 is provided with a troughv 231 adapted to receive lubricant-and direct the same through an aperture 238 into the interior of the housing. In addition to this trough the top section is provided with an upwardly extending member 240 the upper edge.

of which .is formed with worm gear teeth indicated at 24|.

For the purpose of eecting rotation oi' the y reference numerals 381 and $06.

nozzle feed housing about its vertical axis on the bearings herein above referred to, we employ a turbine motor generally indicated by-reference numeral 250. This turbine motor is supportedv in a bearing 25|v which is provided by dividing the turbine supporting section 200 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14 and comprises a turbine shaft 252 supported in bearings 253, an impeller 254 on one end of the shaft protected bya guard 255, and a worm 256 on the other end which is.

enclosed in a housing 251.- Rotation is imparted to the impeller by jets of washing liquid which are projected from turbine nozzles 260, such nozzles being supported in the back plate 20| of the turbine housing and being `provided with pressure liquid through pipes 262 which communicate with a turbine` pipe feed chamber 263 mounted on a faced portion of the section 200. The chamber 263 receives pressure liquid from the nozzle feed pipe through an opening 26d which is provided with a screen 265.

Rotation of the turbine shaft 252 is carried to the gear 24| on the nozzle feed housing through the medium of a Worm wheel 269 which engages the worm 256. This worm wheel 269 is keyed to the upper end of a main drive shaft 210 which has its bearings in-a vertical shaft housing 210 (see Fig. 13) andisprovlded with a worm 21| at its lowerend. The lower end of the vertical shaft housing 210 communicates -with a transverse shaft vhousing 21|' which is mounted over an opening rin the wall of the skirt section 205 (see Figs. 8 and 13). This transverse shaft housing 21| contains'bearings 212 which support a worm -shaft 212. The worm shaft 212' carries a worm wheel 213 in mesh with the worm 21|, and a worm wheel 213 in mesh vth the worm teeth 24| on the upper end of the housing 202. (Figs. 9 land 13.) With this arrangement and with a proper choice of gear ratios, it will'be seen that during the operation of the main turbine 250, a relatively rapid rotation (say 10 R. P. M.) is imparted to the nozzle feed The construction and operation of the nozzle members in this form of our invention is best illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 13 in which it will be observed that each nozzle member indicated by reference numeral 218 is associated with av nozzle block 219. These nozzle blocks 219 have stub shafts 280 supported inbearings 28|, such bearings being contained in bearing cups 282 formed in a cover case 283. The other face of the nozzle block 219 is provided with a projecting nipple 265 which in turn is carried in a bearing sleeve 286 mounted in the mouth 281 of an elbow shaped bearing block 288. These bearing blocks are provided with iianges 289 whereby they are secured over openings 290 in the chambered portion 2|0 of the nozzle housing.

Forthe purpose of slowly turning the nozzle members 218 from an upwardly extending position to a downwardly extending position, we provide the stub shafts 280 with worm wheels 300, such worm wheels being in mesh' with worms 300' which are keyed to a cross shaft 30|. AThe shaft 30| is supported by suitable bearings provided in a housing which is formed by a section 302 on the nozzle feed housing and a cover secmounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft' which is formed in two sections indicated by 6 aaoaeia The bottom of the shaft 331 is suprted in suitable bearings 309 formed in the housing section 303, such shaft extending upwardly through a housing or enclosure formed by a sleeve 309 and an enlarged section 3|0. The upper end of the shaft section 301 is provided with a ratchet clutch member 3|3 which in turn is engaged by a spring pressed ratchet clutch member Bld splined to the lower end of the shaft section 308. This last mentioned clutch member is enclosed by a housing 3|6 and is pressed into yieldable engagement with the bottom clutch member by means of a. compression spring 3|1 contained in the upper portion of the housing 3| 6. The housing 315 is secured in any suitable manner to the plate member 2|2 which is provided with an opening 319 through which the upper shaft section extends.

The housing section 2|5 is provided with a bearing collar 320 for the upper section of the shaft section 308 and the upper end oi this shaft section is shown as having a spur gear 32| keyed thereto. Above the spur gear the shaft is provided with bearings 323 contained in a chamber 324 formed on the top section 233 of the housing. The spur gear 32| engages the spur gear 225 which as has been previouslyy pointed out is keyed to the stationary shaft section 2M. It will thus be seen that as the housing is rotated by the turbine motor 250 and the shaft and gear system terminating in worm 21| and worm wheel 213, the engagement of gears 32| and 225 imparts rotation to the sectional shaft 3&8--301 which in turn is carried to the nozzle members through the medium of the ratchet clutch 3|3-3l4, the worm 306, worm wheel 305, shaft 30|` worms 300 and worm wheels 300. The arrangement of the gears between the nozzle niembers and the stationary gear 225 is such that the nozzle members are turned at a very slow speed so that the .ratio between the rotation of the housing and the turning speed of the nozzles is substantially the same as that referred to in connection with Fig. 1

As has been previously pointed out it is one feature of this form of our invention that the nozzle members are turned through 180 degrees from an upwardly directed position to a downwardly directed position, after which they are automatically and quickly returned t`o their original upwardly extending positions. It is for the purpose of accomplishing this object that the vertical shaft member 301-308 is made in two sections and connected by the overriding ratchet clutch member. This clutch member (3B-3H) is so formed that rotation is imparted to the lower section 301 from the upper section 308 but if the lr *fer section 301 is rotated in the reverse direction a greater speed, the clutch will slip and permit this lower section te turn, at the same time not interfering with the continued operation of the upper section.

For the purpose of imparting a relatively rapid nozzle reversing rotation to the lower shaft section 301we provide such shaft section with a turbine wheel or impeller 330 which is contained within the housing section 3|0. This impeller is keyed to the lower shaft section 301 and is supported by a thrust bearing 33 In order to obtain the desired operation of the impeller it is important that valve means be provided so that pressure fluid is directed against the impeller as the nozzle members; reach the desired point in their travel and also that such pressure fluid be shut oil' when the nozzle members have been returned to their vertically extended position. One preferred arrangement for accomplishing this objective is indicated generally by reference numeral 33 5 and is illustrated in detail in Pigs. ll and 15.

Referring to Figs. 9, ll and l5 it will be observed that the nozzle housing 292 is provided with an auxiliary turbine jet conduit 335, such conduit opening in a jet passage which is situated in line with the impeller member of the auxiliary turbine 330. This conduit 336 communicates at its other end with a valve housing 331 which is mounted in any suitable manner upon the nozzle housing and is shown as being situated with a bottom opening 333 positioned over an outlet opening 339 in the chamber 2H] of the nozzle housing. A screen 360 is shown as being interposed in the passage leading to the valve housing 331.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 11, the valve housing 331 is in the nature of a cylinder having an enlarged annular chamber 3M at its mid portion directly above the opening 338. Contained with in the cylindrical valve housing is a hollow cylindrical valve 342 which is closed at its ends and is provided with perforations 343 at both sides of the enlarged annular chamber 34|. When the valve is in the full line position shown, the per forated portions are engaged by the valve housing and the valve is closed. But when the valve member is pushed to the broken line position shown so that the end adjacent the turbine feed conduit 335 lies within such conduit, it will be seen that the perforated portions of the cylinder are positioned within the enlarged annular chamber 34| and the conduit 335 respectively so that pressure fluid will enter the cylinder through the perforations over the opening 338 and will leave the valve through perforations which are within the passage 33S. in this way pressure fluid is delivered to the turbine member when the valve is in this last mentioned position. f

For the purpose of imparting these transverse movements to the cylinder 3&2 we provide the cylinder with oppositely extending stems 350 and 35|. The ends of these stems, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 15, are provided wth standards 352 and 353 which in tuin are connected at their upper ends by a cross member 354. This cross member is provided with a transversely extending pin 355 positioned at an intermediate point therein such pin being adapted for engagement and movement in opposite directions by the ends of an arcuate slot 355 formed in the bottom of a lever member 358. The lever member 358 is pivoted at its upper end to the inner face of a cover plate 359 which is shown as being formed integrally with the valve housing 335. The lever member 358 is designed to give a quick snapping action to the valve and for accomplishing this purpose it is provided' with a tension spring indicated by reference numeral 360.

With this arrangement the valve is also held in the particular position to which it has been moved by the lever member.

For the purpose of actuating the lever member 358 to slide the valve cylinder to its two opposite positions, we employ a reciprocating bar 363 supported in suitable bearings 363 and 363 such bar having projecting ears 365 thereon positioned on opposite sides of a rearwardly extending pin member 36'! which pin is mounted in the back face of the lever 358.

The end of the reciprocating bar 362 which lies aaoaeis adjacent one of the nozzle members 216 is provided with a nger 31D adapted to be engaged by such nozzle member when it is in its vertical position as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 15. Such engagement is eiiective to slide the bar in the direction of the arrow A which through the associated lever member closes the valve and stops the auxiliary turbine ddii.

As soon as the valve for the auxiliary turbine is closed, the shaft 353, having continued to rotate in the meantime, is effective, through the inter-engaging ratchet clutch members Sill-3 l 3, to rotate the shaft section .'i' in the opposite dlrection and carry the nozzle members in their gradual downward turning movement. When the nozzle members have reached the point at which they are directed vertically below the machine, a projecting lug 3W on one of the nozzle members engages a downwardly extending projection 3T3 on the finger dit thereby carrying the ha: 3? in the direction of the arrow B (Fig.

l5). Through this action of the .bar the level member 358 is moved in the opposite direction and with the tension spring B is eective to push the valve into the broken line position shown in Fig. il. When this takes place, pressure liquid is again delivered to the auxiliary turbine which in view of its rapid rotation qulcklycarries the nozzle members to their upwardly directed position ready for another downward cycle.

It is believed that the operation oi this modiiied form or our machine is also clearly apparent from the description oi 'the machine itself and we will now proceed to describe in detail the manner in which either of these machines may be employed in carrying out the method contemplated by this invention.

Referring now to Figs. 16 and 17 which will be used to illustrate the method contemplated by this invention, reference letter T indicates a tank in an oil tanker or the like through the ceiling of which a washing machine W is suspended. This washing machine may be either of the type shown in Fig. 1 or the type shown in Fig, 8 and is illustrated as being the latter type, the important feature of the machine being that the nozzle members are rotated at a relatively rapid rate about its vertical axis and are slowly turned about a horizontal axis so that the path trave ersed by the jet is more or less helical in nature having overlapping substantially horizontal turns. Another important feature of the machine as has been heretofore indicated, is that the 'main feed pipe Il' whereby the unit is suspended in the tank is supported for vertical adjustment through the manhole or opening which is indicated by reference numeral 3,80. 1

Various means may be employed for`eiecting this support and vertical adjustment and for the purpose of illustration we vhave shown the support as comprising a plate member 3B! which is provided with a vertically extending split sleeve or collar 382. This split sleeve or collar 382 has projecting flange plates indicated at 383 adjacent the split therein between which a sprocket Wheel 38d is supported in suitable bearings. The teeth on this sprocket Wheel are adapted to engage circumferential rack teeth 386 which are formed on the main feed pipe Il'. rThe use o the circumferential teeth instead of a straight rack permits rotary adjustment of the unit to suit the particular connections or the particular position at which it is desired to start operation and the length of the pipe li is preferably such that the machine can be lowered well toward the bottom of the tank. Means are also pro vided for locking the pipe in diferent positions of adjustment within its support such means being* shown as comprising a clamping bolt Sll which extends through the flanges 383 of the split sleeve. The gear @ad is of course provided with a crank or other suitable handle Sad (Fig. i6).

The top of the main feed pipe il is shown as being provided with an elbow 3g@ to which a suitable conduit or hose 39| is connected. In case the machine is being used on a ship, this hose leads to a source of washing fluid which may be delivered from the ship's pumps through .the ships piping indicated by reference numeral 392. In the particular form shown in Fig. 16, the pipe 392 is shown as being equipped with a T 391i and two valves 395 and 395'. One of the valves, for example 395' is connected to the source of washing liquid, which may be interchanged `with water if desired and the other valve 395 may be connected to a source of com.

pressed air. In this regard it is to be understood that various systems of piping may be employed and as indicated above the conventional piping provided on the ship may be used. The tank T is also provided with an outlet pipe which is illustrated diagrammatically at 391, such pipe being connected to a pump or other suitable means for withdrawing the liquid from the tank.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, tanks of this character are provided with I a plurality of longitudinal inwardly extending ilanges along the side walls thereof, such flanges being indicated by reference numeral 399. The tanks are also provided with ladders, etc. (not shown), which, with the anges, usually form blind spots which are not reached by the washing jets in ordinary operations. that oil and dirt tends to accumulate both above and below these flanges and other obstructions, they obviously constitute one o the most serious diiculties encountered in cleaning tanks of this nature. As has been pointed out it is one of the chierobjects of this invention to provide a machine which will satisfactorily clean both the' top and bottom surfaces of flanges and the like within the tank and the first step in accomplishing this object is obtained by providing a machine in which the jets follow substantially horizontal paths and are turned about a vertical axis. In order to subject both sides of the flanges to the imping'lng action of the jets it is,

as pointed out above, one feature of the method of this invention that the machine is operated at progressively lower levels.

In operating the machine the main feed pipe Il' is ilrst set for the highest level, the nozzle members are turned totheir upwardly directed position and the machine is installed in the tank. Hot washing liquid under the desired pressure is then supplied to the main feed pipe through the hose dal, such liquid being directed forcibly from the nozzle members and also being eective to operate the turbine motor which rotates the nozzle members about the vertical axis and also slowly turns them about their horizontal axes.

Due to the fact 1 During this operation the paths of the jets ofl liquid gradually travel outwardly from their innermost circle to the side walls of the tank, passing downwardly along the side walls where they impinge upon and between the anges, reaching the under surfaces of part of. the anges and the upper surfac oi other danses for one setting of the machine, as indicated by the dotted arrows N virs and P in Fig. 16. During this operation the outlet to the tank is closed or in the case of a ships tank the discharge pumps are not in operation so that the liquid which runs down across the side walls of the tank soaking and loosening the materials thereon accumulates in the bottom of the tank and heats and loosens the material lying on the bottom.

This iirst operation has taken place at the zone or level indicated at L and may be permitted to continue until the jets of liquid have travelled down along the side walls inwardly along the bottom to a point at which they are directed below the machine. When this operation has been completed, the machine is lowered through the adjustable supporting mechanism to the next lower zone or level, indicated at L2, and the same cycle of nozzle movement is repeated. At this next lower level the jets are eiective to getA beneath some of the flanges which have been exposed on their top surfaces before and will reach the region in between certain of the other anges also giving a direct action on the top of certain ol the other flanges which had not been down liquid is permitted to accumulate on the bottom of the tank for the purposes mentioned above. At some intermediate point in the op- Illa eration this run down liquid may be withdrawn or discharged to remove the material which has been washed down and some 'of the material which has been loosened from the bottom. This withdrawing operation is continued untfl that material is removed, in the meantime' other liquid being permitted to accumulate so that the bottom of the tank is kept warm by the hot run down liquid.

As the machine reaches the last level, the with-l drawal of the bottom liquid is started again so that this liquid is removed from the bottom during the last downward travel of the jet.

As has been previously indicated, it is a further feature of this invention that means are provided for drying theinterior of the tank and removing the steam, etc., therefrom. This is accomplished by shutting oi the washing solution after the washing operation just described has been completed and delivering compressed air into the machine from any suitable source. This compressed air as it expands through the nozzles of the machine is cooled, thereby cooling and drying the interior of the tank, driving the hot steam and vapors therefrom so that workmen enter the tank for inspection and nal cleaning up within a very short time if desired. In the case of a tank car, which must be dried immediately after washing, from one half hour to one hour or more is usually required for the car to cool before the tank can be entered to start the manual drying operation with rags, etc. In the practice of our process, after the washing operation is completed all the dome cover vents but one are closed and the compressed air is injected through the machine. By closing the dome cover vents in this way most of the compressed air is forced downward, putting pressure on the bottom sheet. This will force the Water oi the bottom sheet through the outlet and after about five minutes the dome cover vents may all be opened and the car will be cooled and dried in the total time of ten or hfteen minutes.

Although the method and apparatus as cleaaoasis Such operation is most readily adapted to the form of our invention shown in Fig. 1, and can be obtained by a slight modification of the nozzle For example, such a modification isv feed pipe. shown in Fig, 18, which is a fragmentary view of a machine of the type shown in Fig. 1 equipped with a slightly different nozzle construction. In Fig. 18 the parts corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals distinguished with the letter a.

In this construction the hollow spindle member 31a, instead of extending beyond the nozzle passage to provide a sleeve valve, terminates short of the inlet to the nozzle 35a to provide a discharge opening in a vertical plane which is covered with a screen member 35s. With this construction the nozzle member 35a may be formed with an elbow shaped body, and receives cleaning iluid continuously during its complete rotation. It will be seen from the foregoing description that the method contemplated by this invention constitutes a novel departure in the washing and drying of tanks and the like and while we have herein described and illustrated two preferred embodiments of the apparatus contemplated by this invention', and have described in detail one preferred procedure contemplated by this invention, it is to be understood that `the invention is not limited to the precise description given above, but includes within its scope whatever'changes fairly come Within the spirit of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention.:

l. The method of cleaning the interior of a tank or the like which includes: projecting a pressure jet of cleaning liquid from a moving nozzle at a predetermined upper zone within the tank against the top portion only of the inner tank surface; rotating said jet about a vertical axis whereby the paths traversed by said jet on the tank surface lie in substantially horizontal planes; during such rotation gradually turning said jet to a position where it is directed toward the bottom portion of said tank; positioning said nozzle at successively lower zones in said tank; and repeating the said jet operation from each successive zone.

2. The method of cleaning the interior of a..

tank or the like which includes: projecting a pressure jet of hot cleaning liquid from a moving nozzle at a predetermined upper zone within the tank against the top portion of the inner tank surface; rotating said jet about a vertical axis whereby the paths traversed by said jet on the tank surface lie in substantially horizontal planes; during such rotation gradually turning said jet to a position where it is directed toward the bottom portion of said tank; maintaining a. ratio between the rate of rotation and the turning speed such that the total path of said jet on the surface of said tank is in the nature of a vertical helix having overlapping turns whereby the washing liquid ows downwardly along the side walls, thereby heating and wetting the material on the side walls in advance of the aaoasia 4 successive turns in the jet path; accumulating tank against the top of the inner tank surface;

the hot run down washing liquid in the bottom oi the tank, thereby heating and soaking the sediment thereon; theriter positioning said nozzle at successively lower zones in said tank; repeating the said jet operation from each successive zone; and finally withdrawing the ac cumulated liquid from the bottom of the tank.

3. The method of cleaning the interior of a tank or the like which includes: projecting a pressure jet of hot cleaning liquid from a moving nozzle at a predetermined upper zone within the tank against the top portion of the inner tank surface; rotating said jet about a vertical axis 5 whereby the paths traversed by said" jet on the tank surface lie in substantially horizontal planes; during such rotation gradually turning said jet to a position where it is directed toward the bottom portion of said tank; maintaining a ratio l0 .between the rate of rotation and the turning speed such that the t/otal path of said jet on the t surface of said tank is in the nature oa vertical helix having overlapping turns, whereby the washing liquid ows downwardly along the side g walls, thereby heating and wetting the material on the side walls in advance of the successive turns in the jet path; accumulating the hot run down washing liquid in the bottom of the tank, thereby heating and soaking the sediment. thereo on; thereafter positioning said nozzle at successively lower zones in said tank; repeating the said jet operation from each successive zone; finally withdrawing the accumulated liquid from the bottom of the tank; directing said jet toward 5 the outer edge oi the tank bottom and mechanically moving the jet so that it describes a gradually decreasing spiral path on the tank bottom. 4. The method of cleaning the interior of a -tank or the like which includes: projecting Va g pressure jet of cleaning liquid from a moving nozzle at' a single predetermined zone within the *oil ordirt from settling thereon.

` y,n f

rotating said nozzle about a vertical axis whereby the paths traversed by said jet on the tank surface lie in substantially horizontal planes; during such rotation, gradually turning said nozzle downwardly about a horizontal axis and maintaining a ratio between the rate of rotation and the turning speed such that the total path oi' said jet ls in the nature of a vertical helix having overlapping turns, arresting new of the cleaning iluldwhen said nozzle has reached substantially its lowermost position, returning said nozzle while said iiow is arrested to substantially its upperfluid from said nozzle when in said last named position and repeating said operation.

5.. The method of cleaning the interior of a tank or the like whichincludes: projecting a single pressure Jet of cleaning liquid from a moving nozzle at a predetermined zone withiny the tank against the inner tank surface; rotating said nozzle about a vertical axis whereby the paths traversed by said iet on the tank surface lie in substantially horizontal planes; during such rotation, gradually turning said nozzle about a horizontal axis; maintaining a ratio between the rate oi rotation and the turning speed such that the total path oi said jet is in the nature ol' a vertical helix having overlapping turns; positioning said nozzle at successively vertically spaced zones in said tank; repeating the jet operation from each successive zone; accumulating the run-down washing liquid in the bottom of the tank; and then withdrawing the accumulated Wash liquid during the Jet operation in a manner to maintain a flow o! moving liquid of sumcient depth over the bottom to the outlet so as to prevent the loosened and washed-down 

